Why do railway tracks and long bridges typically include small gaps or specially designed expansion joints at regular intervals along their length?

Explanation

Railway tracks and long bridges typically include small gaps or specially designed expansion joints at regular intervals specifically to allow room for the metal and other construction materials to expand and contract safely as temperatures change throughout the day and across different seasons. Without these carefully designed gaps, the significant forces generated by thermal expansion on a hot day could potentially cause the materials to buckle, warp, or otherwise become damaged, since the expanding material would have nowhere else to safely go. This practical engineering consideration is a direct real-world application of the physical principle of thermal expansion. Explore more Everyday Science MCQs on mcqstutor to keep practicing.